The clink of glasses, the sway of jazz, and the scent of bourbon barbecue will soon fill the Estes Park Event Complex. On Saturday, Nov. 1, from noon to 5 p.m., the Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival returns with a Prohibition-era twist. More than 40 Colorado distilleries and vendors will gather under one roof, transforming the complex into a speakeasy for a day of tasting, music, and community.
Organizers promise the most ambitious festival yet, with vintage décor, secret lounges, and the atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties. Guests can dress the part, strike a pose for a Western tin plate portrait, and spend the afternoon sampling small-batch whiskeys, gins, and liqueurs poured by the state’s top craft makers.
“I couldn’t be more excited for this year’s Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival,” said Maddie Hodge, special events coordinator for the Town of Estes Park. “It’s always such a special day to bring together our incredible distillers, local community, and visitors for an afternoon of great spirits, lively tunes, and the unique speakeasy energy that makes this event so memorable.”
The event is strictly 21 and over. Each ticket includes a custom glass sponsored by Hogback Distillery, which guests can use throughout the afternoon and take home as a keepsake. Options include a $45 Spirit Sampling Ticket with the souvenir glass or a $25 Music Festival Only Ticket for those who want to enjoy the atmosphere without tastings.
The experience extends well beyond the bar. Attendees can have a vintage portrait taken by Dylan Burr Photography, enjoy complimentary craft spirits education in speakeasy-style lounges, and browse booths from artisans such as Rocky Mountain Mugolio, Inside the Staves Woodcraft, Monic Fine Art, and Boozy Nuts. A lineup of food trucks will be on site, and guests will have the chance to purchase bottles of their favorite spirits to take home.
Some of this year’s distillery list includes Wood’s High Mountain Distillery, Elevation 5003, Full Throttle, Salida Distillery, Downslope Distilling, Seed and Spirit, Sol2noches, Dirty Dill, The Family Jones, and Molly Brown Spirits. Additionally, makers such as Root Shoot Spirits, Peach Street Distillers, 291 Colorado Whiskey, and Robbs Red Rumm will showcase some of the most distinctive products in Colorado’s booming craft scene.
For seasoned enthusiasts, the festival is a chance to meet the makers, ask questions, and discover new favorites. For casual visitors, it’s an easy entry point into one of the state’s most dynamic industries, with the added thrill of jazz and swing music setting the mood.
“Each year, we see more creativity, collaboration, and connection among Colorado’s craft spirit makers, and 2025 is shaping up to be our best celebration yet,” Hodge said. “Come grab your collectible spirits glass, strike a pose for your Western Tin Plate Portrait, enjoy bourbon BBQ, and experience the essence of your own speakeasy lounge. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Estes Park for an unforgettable experience.”
As autumn winds down, the festival offers a late-fall reason to gather, raise a glass, and toast both tradition and innovation. For one afternoon, Estes Park will trade its mountain quiet for the buzz of a speakeasy, where raising a glass means stepping into the past while celebrating the future of Colorado spirits.
The Rocky Mountain Craft Spirits Festival takes place Saturday, Nov. 1, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Estes Park Event Complex. Tickets are available now at eventsinestes.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.